WATER BAPTISM ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

" WITH HISTORICAL REFERENCES "

SHOULD YOU BE IMMERSED OR SPRINKLED WHEN BAPTIZED?

The last message preached by Jesus was a COMMAND to baptize all nations. MATHEW 28:19.

The first message preached by the apostles resulted in a command for EVERYONE to be baptized. ACTS 2:38.

BAPTISM IS IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE.

BELOW ARE THE SCRIPTURES FOR IMMERSION

AND THE SCRIPTURES FOR SPRINKLING.

"IMMERSION"

MUCH WATER

"John was baptizing at Aenon because there was much water there." John 3:23

INTO THE WATER

"They both went down into the water." Acts 8:38

OUT OF THE WATER

"They came up out of the water." Acts 8:39

BURIED IN WATER

"We are buried with Him in Baptism." Romans 6:4

PLANTED IN WATER

"We have been planted together" Romans 6:5.

"SPRINKLING"

NO SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES ON SPRINKLING!

Without question the early church taught and practiced baptism by immersion. Paul said, "If we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel let him be accursed." Galations 1:8-9.

If your form of baptism cannot be found in the Bible, aren't you afraid to practice it?

IMMERSE OR SPRINKLE?

BAPTIZO - GREEK RANTIZO - GREEK

Below are writings of imminent Bible scholars and authorities on this subject. Most of these references can be found in your local library.

"GREEK"

GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICON by LIDDEL, SCOTT & THAYER

Baptism taken from the Greek word baptizo - to dip, immerse.

CLASSIC GREEK-ENGLISH DICTIONARY by POLLET

Greek word baptizo means to dip under.

GREEK-ENGLISH DICTIONARY by DIVRY'S

Greek word baptizo - to immerse

EMPHATIC DIAGLOTT CONTAINS ORIGINAL GREEK TEXT

In every instance the greek word baptizo is translated immerse.

"AUTHORITIES"

SCHAFF-HERZOG RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA

Baptism was always a burial. The command to baptize was a command to immerse. Vol. 1, pg.451

CATHOLIC BIBLICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

Immersion was oldest method employed. Buried in baptism. Romans 6:4 pg.61, paragraph 2.

ENCYCLOPEDIA DICTIONARY OF BIBLE

It is evident that the action performed in baptizing was immersion. Page 202.

WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA

The early church practiced immersion or submerging under the water. Volume 2, Page 70.

ENCYCLOPEDIA of LUTHERAN CHURCH

Martin Luther preferred immersion as more true to original practice. Volume 1, Page 188.

PULPIT COMMENTARY by Imminent Scholars

Romans 6:4, "Buried in baptism." The reference is to baptism by immersion. Volume 18, Page 156.

"LOGIC"

An important factor is overlooked by the exponents of sprinkling. The original New Testament text and the spoken language of that day was Greek. The authors of the New Testament knew the Greek word "Baptizo" meant to immerse. They also knew the Greek word "Rantizo" meant to sprinkle. These often used words were never interchangeable, having separate meanings. If God had intended for His ministers to sprinkle, the Greek word "rantizo" would have been employed, not "Baptizo." If sprinkling cannot be found in the Bible, then you are practicing a tradition of man, which makes the Word of God of none effect. Mark 7:13.

"INFANT BAPTISM"

As with sprinkling, the doctrine of infant baptism cannot be found in the New Testament without adding to it. Scriptural

logic cries out against infant baptism. The very mode (immersion) makes it illogical and impractical. The teaching surrounding baptism automatically prohibits it.

"THE BIBLE SPEAKS"

MATTHEW 28:19 - "Teach all nations, baptizing them" -Teaching or preaching must precede baptism. See, Acts 2:41.

ACTS 8:36,37 - Eunuch, "What doth hinder me to be baptized?" Phillip, "If thou believest with all thine heart." Believing is a prerequisite of baptism. See, Mark 16:16.

ACTS 2:38 - "Repent and be baptized everyone of you." Repentance must precede baptism. See, Luke 24:47.

"DO YOU KNOW?"

That the first recipients of baptism were adults. Infant baptism was a later development that led to sprinkling.

CHAMBERS ENCYCLOPEDIA, VOL.2, Pg.112

There is no direct evidence in the New Testament for infant baptism.

  INTERPRETERS BIBLE DICTIONARY, VOL.1. Pg.352
The earliest Christian literature makes no reference to baptism of infants.

  ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, VOL.3, Pg.138
The first mention of infant baptism was about 185 A.D. Not universal until 6th Century.

  HISTORY OF CHURCH, by WALKER, Pgs.87-88
That 350 Lutheran pastors of W. Germany wish to abandon infant baptism. Many of these same pastors refused to baptize their own infants. They felt that baptism should be understood first by the recipient. TIME MAGAZINE, Pg.58-May, 1968

That Karl Barth of Switzerland, the best known Theologian of the 20th Century said, "There is not Biblical basis for infant baptism-this tradition is simply an old error of the church." TIME MAGAZINE, Page 58-May, 1968

A child should be old enough to receive teaching, believe, and repent of sin before being baptized. Dedicating children to God and asking Him to bless them is Biblical. This Jesus did in Luke 18:15-17, Matthew 19:13-15.

"BAPTISM"

IS IT IN THE PLAN OF SALVATION?

Listed below are three of many reasons why baptism is an absolute necessity.

1.THE BIBLE SAYS SO!

JOHN 3:5 - "Except a man be born of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." Most Bible commentaries agree that water here refers to baptism.

See, Mathew-Henry, Adam Clark, Hist. Christian Church, Walker., Catholic Encyclopedia, Oxford Dictionary of Church, Interpreters Dictionary of Bible., Temples Bible Dictionary.

MARK 16:16 - "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Notice how Jesus places baptism in conjunction with salvation.

1 PETER 3:21 - "Baptism doth also now save us." Also see Acts 10:46 and 48.

2.IT REMITS SIN

HEBREWS 9:22 - The application of the blood of Christ is necessary to remit sin. What then is the Biblical way to receive remission of sin? The answer to this question will also be the only way to get the Savior's blood applied.

LUKE 24:47 - "Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name..."(Jesus).

ACTS 2:38 - "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." The blood of Jesus is applied only through water baptism in the name of Jesus. Also see 1 John 5:8 and Acts 22:16.

3. BAPTIZES INTO CHURCH

Every New Testament church was formed by those whom were baptized into the faith after believing and repenting. Gal. 3:27 and 1 Corinthians 12:13.

1.Church at Jerusalem - 3000 added by baptism after receiving the word. Acts 2:41.

2.Church at Samaria - Believed and were baptized, men and women. Acts 8:12-16.

3.Church at Caesarea - Peter commanded them to be baptized. Acts 10:48.

4.Church at Philippi - Lydia and the Philippian jailer baptized. Acts 16:14-33.

5.Church at Corinth - Paul preached. They believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8.

6.Church at Ephesus - Paul rebaptizes those improperly baptized. Acts 19:1-6.

7.Church at Galatia - Believed Paul and baptized into Christ. Galatians 3:27.

8.Church at Colosse - They were buried with Christ in baptism. Colossians 2:12.

9.Church at Rome - They died to sin, then buried in baptism. Romans 6:1-4.

BAPTISM...IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON & HOLY GHOST -OR-IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST?

BELOW ARE THE SCRIPTURES WHERE THE APOSTLES

EITHER TAUGHT OR PRACTICED WATER BAPTISM.

"IN JESUS NAME"

JEWS - "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ." Acts 2:38.

SAMARITANS - They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 8:16.

GENTILES - He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 10:48. (NIV)

PETER TAUGHT - There is none other name given whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.

PAUL TAUGHT - Whatever you do, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Colossians 3:17.

"FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST"

THERE ARE NO BAPTISMS IN THE BIBLE USING THIS FORMULA

Mathew 28:19 was a command by Jesus to baptize in a NAME. The Apostles did not repeat the words of the command, but they did obey it as seen in the scriptures above. Since Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are titles of the manifestations of the Almighty Spirit and His body, the Apostles understood His SAVING NAME to be JESUS. Can any dare say that the Apostles disobeyed the Lord, or failed to baptize properly? THE NAME OF FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST IS LORD JESUS CHRIST. The actions of the Apostles in the Book of Acts prove this to be true.

"BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST"

HOW DID THE EARLY CHURCH INTERPRET CHRIST'S COMMAND IN MATTHEW 28:19?

ACTS 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5 are four Biblical references that answer this question. If the Biblical record is not enough, please examine the findings of the educated, scholars, and historians below.

Britannica Encyclopedia, 11th Edition, Volume 3, page 365 -Baptism was changed from the name of Jesus to words Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in 2nd Century.

Canney Encyclopedia of Religion, page 53 - The early church baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the second century.

Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion, Volume 2 - Christian baptism was administered using the words, "in the name of Jesus." page 377. Baptism was always in the name of Jesus until the time of Justin Martyr, page 389.

Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2, page 263 - Here the authors acknowledged that the baptismal formula was changed by their church.

Schaff - Herzog Religious Encyclopedia, Volume 1, page 435 -The New Testament knows only the baptism in the name of Jesus.

Hastings Dictionary of the Bible, page 88 - It must be acknowledged that the three fold name of Matthew 28:19 does not appear to have been used by the primitive church, but rather in the name of Jesus, Jesus Christ or Lord Jesus.

IS IT AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY THAT THE NAME OF JESUS BE SPOKEN OR CALLED OVER A CANDIDATE FOR WATER BAPTISM WHEN HE IS BEING BAPTIZED?

For the answer to this question, please read Acts 15:17 and James 2:7 (Greek Linear). First Century Christians INVOKED OR CALLED the name of Jesus over believers in water baptism. If, as some say, "the name of Jesus means the authority of Jesus", then so much more should the NAME, rather than titles, be called over an individual in baptism. Read Matthew 28:18, Acts 4:12 and Colossians 2:9. Jude 3 is an exhortation to "CONTEND FOR THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS." See Galatians 1:8-9 also. Should anyone dare to change what CHRIST and the Apostles established?

So now what?
Are you Really Baptized?
Or are you satisfied just because "your parents did it that way"? 
And can you honestly say "that your parents never made a mistake"... Could this be another one? 

Are you willing to risk eternity on it?

Remember... you came in to this world alone, and you will go out alone, where you go from there is up to you!

B asic
I nstructions
B efore
L eaving
E arth

Isn't everything easier when you follow the Instructions?